Kusal Mendis named first president of Sri Lankan Professional Cricketers' Association

Kusal Mendis was named the inaugural president of the newly launched Sri Lankan Professional Cricketers' Association (SLPCA) in Sri Lanka on Saturday. Several leading players, including women's captain Chamari Athapaththu and all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, are supporting the new organisation.

The SLPCA has been created as an independent body to represent professional cricketers and to address issues affecting their careers, welfare and working conditions. "The formation of the SLPCA comes at a landmark time for Sri Lankan cricket, following a sustained period of positive progress and reform across the sport in the country, including the work of the game's transformation committee to strengthen governance and modernise the domestic structure," a media release said. Sri Lanka Cricket is undergoing an administrative overhaul led by a government-appointed Transformation Committee and plans for a new constitution are also being developed.

The players' association is intended to become another element in reshaping the sport's governance structure. "Alongside the governance reforms and transformation work already underway, having a genuine, organised player voice is another important step toward a modern, collaborative game that is aligned with international best practice," the release added.

A major feature of the SLPCA is its affiliation with the World Cricketers' Association (WCA). The partnership will provide Sri Lankan cricketers access to the WCA's global programmes, welfare initiatives and player-representation networks, and Athapaththu's appointment to the WCA Player Advisory Board earlier this year gives Sri Lankan women's cricket a direct presence within that global player structure.

Until now Sri Lanka had been among the major cricket-playing nations without a formal players' body affiliated with the WCA, alongside countries such as India and Pakistan, and the SLPCA's launch brings Sri Lankan cricket closer to the model followed by organisations including the Australian Cricketers' Association, England's Professional Cricketers' Association and the New Zealand Cricket Players' Association.

The new body could also play a role in resolving long-running disagreements between players and Sri Lanka Cricket, where issues around no-objection certificates, fitness requirements and player availability for overseas franchise competitions have repeatedly caused friction. Earlier this year similar concerns emerged over conditions attached to NOCs for participation in leagues such as the IPL.

Sri Lanka has had a players' union in the past: the Sri Lanka Cricketers' Association operated intermittently from 2001, but its structure and leadership attracted criticism, particularly over the influence of former players and concerns about its independence from the cricket board. The SLPCA is being led by active players, including captains and established names from both the men's and women's teams, and its organisers have emphasised the inclusion of women's cricket on an equal footing.

"We're proud to have established SPCA to represent Sri Lanka's players at this important time, and we look forward to working constructively and collaboratively with Sri Lanka Cricket, the Transformation Committee, and other stakeholders as cricket continues to grow," Kusal, as SPCA president, said.